Charing Cross Theatre, London
Charing Cross Theatre is a small theatre in the railway arches under Charing Cross station, about five minutes' walk from Embankment or Charing Cross tube. It seats up to 265, so nobody is far from the stage, and it mostly stages smaller musicals, revivals and new work in runs of a few weeks to a few months.
Around 265 seats
4 shows on now · From £21 · See shows
Choosing seats? For the view, book the middle of rows F to J in the Stalls. For legroom, book row K, which has the cross aisle in front of it. Rows B and C are the ones to think twice about unless you want to be very close: they're flat and you look up at the stage.
Already booked? Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before, no later. The Stalls are down a flight of stairs from the foyer, and the Players Bar is open two hours before the show if you want a drink first.
Each part of the theatre has its own page: the seating plan, then the Stalls and the Balcony. After those come how to get here, access, restaurants, bars and hotels nearby and more about the theatre.
Quick facts
- Address: The Arches, Villiers Street, London WC2N 6NL
- Nearest tube: Embankment and Charing Cross, about 5 minutes
- Capacity: up to 265
- Seating: Stalls, two side balconies and two small benches
- Lift: none; the Balcony 1 seats are level with the foyer
- Arrive: 15 to 20 minutes before, no later
What's On at Charing Cross Theatre
Runs here usually last from a few weeks to a few months, so the programme changes often. Playing now and next:
- Franz & Marie, a new folk musical based on Woyzeck, until 14 November 2026
- Cinderella: Buttons Undone!, an adult panto for over-18s only, from 21 November 2026 to 9 January 2027
- Wild About You, a new musical by Chilina Kennedy, from 18 January to 10 April 2027
Ticket prices
Prices change from show to show, so you'll find them on each show's own page. As a rule, the benches are the cheapest seats and the middle of the Stalls the dearest. Book with us and it's all-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.
The Players Bar
The theatre's own bar and kitchen is in the same building, and it's open two hours before every show. You can pre-order your interval drinks there, and drinks bought at the bar are the only food or drink allowed into the auditorium. After the show it turns into a piano bar: live piano and singalongs from 10pm until 2am, with a musical theatre singalong every Wednesday. Entry is free, and you don't need a ticket for the show to go.
There's no cloakroom, so coats and small bags come into the auditorium with you. You'll hear the odd train rumble overhead, which is part of the character of a theatre under a station, and it doesn't spoil the show.
Book Charing Cross Theatre tickets
All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.
Charing Cross Theatre FAQs
Is Charing Cross Theatre a West End theatre?
It's officially an Off-West End theatre, because of its size and how it's run, but it's in the middle of the West End, a few minutes from Trafalgar Square and the Strand.
How many seats does Charing Cross Theatre have?
Up to 265. The exact number changes a little from show to show, because some productions rearrange the seating.
What happens if I'm late?
You'll be let in at a suitable break in the performance, but it isn't guaranteed, and it depends on the show. When the stage is in the middle of the auditorium, you may not be let in at all, because the only way to some seats is across the stage.
Is Charing Cross Theatre air-conditioned?
Yes, the auditorium and the bar both are.
Can I book by phone?
Yes, on 020 7193 9050. You'll talk to a real person, and the price we quote is the price you pay.